Cal State Fullerton vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with Whittier College in Whittier, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Whittier College 8:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Whittier College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Fullerton than Whittier College ($7,064 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whittier College are 10.5% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($17,082 vs. $19,080).
• Whittier College is 587.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $43,880 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.9% higher at Whittier College than at California State University Fullerton (about $31,280 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at California State University Fullerton (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 222% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($36,176 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or Whittier College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Whittier College and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 150 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Whittier College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Whittier College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($155 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.